CANBERRA CHILL LOOK TO EXTINGUISH BLAZE
Published Thu 09 Nov 2023
The Canberra Chill women can take a giant leap towards qualifying for the Hockey One finals later this month in Canberra with a win over the Brisbane Blaze on Friday night in front of a home crowd at Lyneham. A win this weekend would move the side into second spot on the ladder with just one round remaining.
Fresh off a bye last week the Chill side has made two changes for Friday night’s match with National Development Squad Goalkeeper Rene Hunter earning a recall over in form Sarah Steinhardt with some impressive displays in recent opportunities. Claudia Johnston returns from injury this week to replace Edwina Bone who is unfortunately not available due to personal reasons.
The Blaze will be at full strength and will field a star-studded lineup that includes current Hockeyroo’s Madison Fitzpatrick, Rosie Malone, Claire Colwill, Hannah Callum-Sanders and Stephanie Kershaw. The Chill won’t be intimidated though and will rely upon the strong team game that has seen the side win three straight matches over their more highly credentialed opponents.
The Chill’s recent form hasn’t gone unnoticed with star defender Kaitlin Cotter having earned a call up to the Black Sticks squad as they look to head to the Olympic Qualifiers in India. Cotter has been a pillar of strength in defence for the Chill and formed a wonderful partnership with Irish International Roisin Upton, Edwina Bone and rising star Georgie Smithers.
A win for the Chill will put them in a strong position and depending upon other results may see them confirmed for the home final series in a fortnight. A loss will see them head to Melbourne in the last round in a head-to-head showdown for a spot in the finals.
The Canberra Chill Men sit in last place with two rounds to go, but with the close nature of the men’s competition, two wins could still see them qualify for the finals however nothing short of wins will be good enough from here on in.
The Chill men have only made one change this week with James Jewell returning to the lineup, with Jamie Hawke missing out for Friday night’s clash.
The Blaze men are currently in second place and like the women will field a side full of international players with Jake Whetton and Tim Howard leading a very experienced side.
The action will kick off on Friday 10 November with the women’s game at 6:30pm and the Men commencing at 8:00pm. Gates open at 5:30pm.
Canberra Chill Women
Tamsin Bunt, Kalindi Commerford, Kaitlin Cotter, Mikayla Evans, Naomi Evans, Sarah Hawkshaw, Rene Hunter, Claudia Johnston, Olivia Martin, Katie Mullan, Mikaela Patterson, Georgie Smithers, Roisin Upton, Sarah White, Lauren Yee
Canberra Chill Men
Davis Atkin, Garry Backhus, Sean Baker, Owen Chivers, Hayden Dillon, Aiden Dooley, James Jewell, Koby Johnstone, Jay Macdonald, Rupinder Pal Singh, Max Robson, Ben Staines, Jake Staines, Jaune Torras, Connor Tuddenham
Brisbane Blaze Women
S. Fitzpatrick, R. Malone, K. Fitzpatrick, C. Colwill, M. Gallagher, H. Callum-Sanders, D. Dolkens, C. Dolkens, M. Fitzpatrick, M. Mathison, T. Stewart, S. Kershaw, K. Walker, E. Kingston, R. Harris
Brisbane Blaze Men
S. Kenny, C. Weyer, L. Brown, L. Hart, C. Cramer, M. Francis, J. Whetton, D. Hubbard, T. Gaddes, T. Howard, S. Boyde, L. Randle, M. Harding, D. Chappell, M. Nicholson
